Ancelotti convinced Vinicius will replicate Madrid form for Brazil

Carlo Ancelotti acknowledges Vinicius Junior is yet to reach his best level with Brazil, but he believes the forward will soon replicate his Real Madrid form on the international stage.

Ancelotti will take charge of the Selecao for the first time on Thursday, as they face Ecuador in a World Cup qualifier in Guayaquil. 

Brazil then host Paraguay in Sao Paulo on Tuesday, in their first home game under the Italian.

Ancelotti helped get the best out of Vinicius following his return to Madrid in 2021, with the duo winning LaLiga and the Champions League together on two occasions each.

Vinicius scored 90 goals and provided 59 assists in 198 appearances under Ancelotti in all competitions, averaging 0.75 goal involvements per game while playing for the Italian. 

He had managed 0.2 goals or assists per match under Ancelotti's predecessor Zinedine Zidane.

However, Vinicius has struggled to replicate his club form on the international stage, only scoring six goals in 39 appearances for Brazil's senior team.

At last year's Copa America, Vinicius picked up a reckless booking in Brazil's third group game against Colombia, landing a suspension that meant he missed their penalty shoot-out defeat to Uruguay in the last eight.

But ahead of his debut in international management, Ancelotti predicted he will get the best out of the 24-year-old.

"I don't know if he's been at his best here, but he has time to do what he does at Real Madrid," Ancelotti told reporters when asked about Vinicius. 

"For us, he's a fundamental player. We have to work to ensure he performs at his best here.

"You'll soon see the best version of Vinicius here with Brazil, the same as with Real Madrid. He is ready and motivated."

Ancelotti's Champions League-winning Madrid teams were famed for their ability to grind out results against the odds, with Los Blancos launching a number of memorable fightbacks on their way to European glory in 2021-22 and 2023-24.

He believes tactical organisation and fight are more important than a stylistic identity, particularly at the international level.

"I don't want a team with a clear identity. We have to defend well, whether it's 4-3-3 or 4-4-2. We have to defend together and use creativity with the ball," he said.

"Individual quality is not enough today; you have to combine it with attitude, drive and commitment."